Match Preview

Match Preview: Redditch United (H)

The Blues look to build on their recent victories when Worcestershire based Redditch United make the journey up to Grange Park on Saturday afternoon.

Due to last week’s postponement, in United’s previous match they overcame Hitchin Town away from home to secure just their third victory of the 2023/24 season.

It was an end-to-end affair at Top Field that ended with the Blues victorious winning by three-goals-to-two thanks to a late winner.

Andy Kanga kickstarted proceedings by putting United ahead at the start of the second half, but Hitchin were quick to respond through Daniel Idiakhoa just four minutes later.

George Atwal nodded the Blues back into the lead late on, but once again the Canaries responded almost instantly through Arnold Matshazi.

However, it was Joe Nyahwema in the dying moments of the match that netted an exceptional solo goal and secured all three points for Long Eaton.

The Opposition –

Redditch currently find themselves top of the Southern Football Premier Central table after 27 matches played, with 15 victories, six draws and six defeats so far this season.

The Worcestershire-based outfit sit one point ahead of second placed Needham Market but have featured in three more league games than the Suffolk-based side.

Redditch also have two players inside the leagues’ top 10 goal scorers so far this season – both Alex Cameron and Reece Flanagan have netted 11 times during 2023/24.

In their last match, Redditch clinched their spot at the top of the table and overcame Bromsgrove Sporting on home soil by a goal-to-nil thanks to Aram Soleman.

That match was one of just four games that went ahead on Saturday 20th January, with the majority falling to postponements due to the inclement weather conditions.

Previous Meeting’s –

The last time that the Blues and the Reds met was in the reverse league fixture away from home in September, where Redditch won by two-goals-to-nil on a chilly Monday night.

Ryan Wollacott put the hosts ahead in the 54th minute, after a competitive yet stalemate first half, but then just three minutes after the first, Reece Flanagan secured the Reds’ second goal to clinch victory.

The two sides had never met in any league or cup competition prior to that match, as Redditch featured in either mainly West Midlands based leagues, or simply competed at a higher level than the Blues.

Thus, this will be the Reds’ first ever visit to Grange Park, and they will of course be aiming to take all three points back to Worcestershire.

Manager’s Quotes –

Looking ahead to the Blues’ match against Redditch this weekend, boss Brad Munn said: “We are absolutely looking forward to the match this weekend – believe it or not, our last five home matches have ended in three wins, one draw and one loss, so we are not doing too bad at home at the moment, we have started to turn our fortunes around a little bit.

“I just want the performances and the belief in players to match the results and the current form, like I said before, in the Derbyshire Cup game against Gresley [Rovers] we went through but it was disappointing, because in a game we were probably expected to go and win, we just did not show enough.

“But in the match a couple weeks ago, we never gave up and constantly kept attacking, so we deserved to take something from that match [vs Hitchin Town], and with that in mind, from now on the mentality needs to be ‘let’s go and attack the rest of this season head on’, and if we can do so, it will make me happy, it will make the boys happy and we can then look to making the club and the fans proud.”

With the rest of the season in mind, Munn added: “We want to be exciting to watch when we are out on that football pitch – we can focus on being a little bit tighter at the back later on in the season and heading into next season.

“I was absolutely delighted with the performance against Hitchin, we have not had many wins so far so you really have to enjoy those wins, and the boys certainly have done that, so hopefully we can pick up a few more points and get a few more wins on the board from now until the end of the season.”

Match Details –

Long Eaton United vs Redditch United
Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Central
Saturday 27th January 2024 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Grange Park (Long Eaton United)
Station Road
Long Eaton
Derbyshire
NG10 2EF

Ticket Information –

£11 Adults
£9 Concessions
£4 U16s
U16 members go FREE with membership card (limited to one member per paying adult)

£2.50 Matchday Programme

The match kicks off at 3:00pm and we advise all supporters to arrive early to avoid any queues of delays.

Card payments are preferred and accepted at Grange Park, although cash payments are still accepted.

Car Parking is available at the ground and is free, although it is subject to availability – ample parking is available in the surrounding area.

Finally, the team lineups will be announced via the tannoy prior to kick-off, and you can also find them on our official Twitter/X page, where there will also be live updates from the match.